Before buying a knife, steel is the most important thing to look for. Everyone wants a sharp knife that holds an edge well for a long time. There’re many steel grades available in the market that are sharp and used in the making of knives; Maxamet steel is one of them. Some of you may already know about Maxamet steel.
If you are unaware of Maxamet steel, this article will help you know what Maxamet steel is, the chemical composition of Maxamet steel, the properties of Maxamet steel, and almost everything about Maxamet steel.
Let’s start with the Maxamet steel.
Table of Contents
What is Maxamet steel?
Maxamet is one of the strongest and top super steels in the world. It also ranks high among luxury-level super steels.
It is an extremely hard, high-speed powder tool steel used to make knife blades and other related tools. Maxamet steel is produced through the powder metallurgy process that provides strength and high performance, which is not always found in steels used for various applications.
Maxamet steel is famous for its edge-retention, and its edge retention is considered tops in the knife industry. Moreover, it also offers amazing strength, wear resistance, and hardness. Knives with Maxamet steel are sharp and hold their edge well for a long time; that’s why it is famous amongst knife makers.
Maxamet steel is a specialty alloy that was introduced by Carpenter Technology Corporation, a US company. Carpenter is considered a leading supplier of high-performance steel throughout the world.
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Maxamet steel chemical composition
The elements in the steel offer some amazing features to the steel. Each element in the steel is used for different purposes and offers a different benefit. The elements which are included in the Maxamet steel grade are as follows:
| Elements |
Percentage (%) |
Properties |
| Tungsten |
13 |
Tungsten increases the hardness and wears resistance. |
| Vanadium |
6 |
It improves hardenability and wears resistance. |
| Cobalt |
6 |
Cobalt improves the wear/corrosion resistance and strength in high temperatures. |
| Chromium |
4.75 |
It increases edge retention and strength and enhances wear/corrosion resistance. |
| Carbon |
2.15 |
Carbon improves wear/corrosion resistance and hardness. However, a high amount of carbon may decrease strength. |
| Sulfur |
0.70 |
It increases the machinability. |
| Manganese |
0.30 |
Manganese increases brittleness and hardness. |
| Silicon |
0.25 |
It increases strength. |
Maxamet steel is very high in Tungsten and Vanadium and low in Chromium which means it is not stainless steel. Due to the higher percentage of Vanadium and Tungsten, it offers excellent wear resistance and hardness.
Rockwell hardness of Maxamet steel
Maxamet steel offers excellent hardness, strength, and wears resistance. Maxamet steel meets the standards of true quality steel.
Maxamet has great composition and combination of elements, and because of this, this steel possesses great hardness. Maxamet steel offers high Rockwell hardness, which is around 70HRC. This Rockwell hardness is more than enough for any tool.
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Maxamet steel properties
Maxamet steel has a great hardness and a great chemical composition; it offers some amazing properties, which are as follows:
Edge Retention: Maxamet steel offers a high hardness which is around 70HRC, due to the high amount of Vanadium, Tungsten, and Carbon; this means Maxamet steel offers great edge retention compared to low-end steel.
Wear resistance: Maxamet steel offers exceptional wear resistance due to the Carbo, Vanadium, and Tungsten.
Machinability: Maxamet steel has Sulfur which makes it great steel for machinability.
Disadvantages of Maxamet steel
As Maxamet steel has a lot of good features, but it has some disadvantages as well. Some of the disadvantages are as follows:
Toughness: As you know, Maxamet steel has high hardness, and because of its high hardness, it has low toughness. A common saying is famous “the harder the steel, the easier it breaks,” so the Maxamet steel is very hard that can break very fast. However, it is tough enough to handle some damaging and beating work.
Corrosion Resistance: Corrosion Resistance always depends on the percentage of Chromium in the steel; the Maxamet steel has a low percentage of Chromium (4.75%) which makes it not good steel for corrosion resistance.
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Is Maxamet steel good for Knives?
Yes, Maxamet steel is good for knives.
Maxamet is a great steel for knives. It offers amazing edge retention and great wear resistance properties, which makes it a better choice. Maxamet steel knives have performed well under several conditions, whether in the kitchen cooking, shaping wood, cutting carpet, and many more.
Many users appreciate the Maxamet knives for their great edge retention. You can use Maxamet knives for so long without any special maintenance. So, if you want a knife with amazing edge retention and great wear resistance, go for Maxamet knives.
However, you have to be careful in a humid environment because Maxamet steel has a low percentage of Chromium. Due to this, it is not good steel for corrosion resistance. Make sure to take care of your Maxamet knife in such environments. Except this, it is a great steel for an everyday carry knife.
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Maxamet steel Best Knives
There are many knives available in the market that are made with Maxamet steel. In this section, I will review some of the popular and best knives of Maxamet steel.
Spyderco Para 3
Specifications
- Overall Length: 7.24-inch
- Blade Length: 2.95-inch
- Round Hole Diameter: 0.55-inch
- Blade Steel: Maxamet steel
- Blade shape: Clip point blade
- Blade Edge: Flat
- Handle material: G-10 handle
- Made in: United States
- Price Range: $210 – $215
The Para 3 is one of the most capable folding knives ever made. It comes with Maxamet steel which offers amazing edge retention and wears resistance. This is an amazing all-purpose cutting tool. It comes with a 2.95-inch clip point blade, with an overall knife length of 7.24-inch. This size of knife is a perfect size that can easily fit in the pocket.
The Para 3 features a lightweight G-10 handle that offers comfortability when you grip the knife in hand. Moreover, it has a compression lock that is located in the spine of the handle. The compression lock securely locks the blade so that you can use the knife without any fear. It also allows the blade to easily and safely open and close with one hand—no doubt this is a perfect all-purpose knife.
If you are looking for an everyday carry knife with a Maxamet Steel, then go for Spyderco Para 3.
Spyderco Manix 2
Specifications
- Overall Length: 8.03-inch
- Blade Length: 3.37-inch
- Round Hole Diameter: 0.55-inch
- Blade Steel: Maxamet steel
- Handle material: Fiberglass Reinforced Co-polymer
- Made in: United States
- Price Range: $205 – $210
The Spyderco Manix 2 is an amazing knife known for its performance and strength. It comes with a Maxamet steel blade which is hard and helps you do various tasks. The Manix 2 blade is also broad, which provides excellent cutting power. It comes with a 3.37-inch blade, with an overall knife length of 8.03-inch.
The Spyderco Manix 2 features a Fiberglass Reinforced Co-Polymer handle, which is light in weight. The lightweight of the knife helps to grip the knife for a long time without any fatigue. Moreover, it has a thumb ramp and index-finger choil, which increases comfortability and provides a safe and forward grip.
The good about this knife is that it has a ball bearing lock which features a patented compressive lock that wedges a ball bearing between the blade tang and a fixed anvil. This mechanism also works to keep the blade in a closed position. Although it is a bit expensive, it is good for small tanks.
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Comparison with the Other Steel
In this section, I will compare the Maxamet steel with some other steels. For this, I’ll make comparison tables so that you can easily understand which steel is better than other steel. I will compare some elements on a scale from 1 to 10.
Maxamet vs. S110V
|
MAXAMET |
S110V |
|
| Edge retention |
10/10 |
8/10 |
| Stainless steel |
No |
Yes |
| Ease of Sharpness |
2/10 |
5/10 |
| Rockwell Hardness |
70 HRC |
63.5 HRC |
| Toughness |
2/10 |
2/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance |
3/10 |
7/10 |
S110V steel is best in terms of corrosion resistance and ease of sharpness, while Maxamet steel is best in terms of edge retention and Rockwell hardness. However, in terms of toughness, both are almost the same.
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Maxamet vs. M390
|
MAXAMET |
M390 |
|
| Edge retention |
10/10 |
8/10 |
| Stainless steel |
No |
Yes |
| Ease of Sharpness |
2/10 |
5/10 |
| Rockwell Hardness |
70 HRC |
62 HRC |
| Toughness |
2/10 |
6/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance |
3/10 |
8/10 |
M390 steel has better corrosion resistance, ease of sharpness, and toughness than Maxamet steel. On the other hand, Maxamet steel has better edge retention and Rockwell hardness than M390 steel.
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Maxamet vs. M4
|
MAXAMET |
M4 |
|
| Edge retention |
10/10 |
7/10 |
| Stainless steel |
No |
No |
| Ease of Sharpness |
2/10 |
4/10 |
| Rockwell Hardness |
70 HRC |
65 HRC |
| Toughness |
2/10 |
2/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance |
3/10 |
7/10 |
M4 steel is best in terms of ease of sharpness, and corrosion resistance, while Maxamet steel is best in terms of edge retention and Rockwell hardness. However, in terms of toughness, Maxamet and M4 both are the same.
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Maxamet vs. S30V
|
MAXAMET |
S30V |
|
| Edge retention |
10/10 |
2/10 |
| Stainless steel |
No |
Yes |
| Ease of Sharpness |
2/10 |
5/10 |
| Rockwell Hardness |
70 HRC |
58-61 HRC |
| Toughness |
2/10 |
2/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance |
3/10 |
4/10 |
Maxamet steel is always best in terms of Rockwell hardness and edge retention, while S30V steel is best in terms of ease of sharpness. However, in terms of toughness and corrosion resistance, both are almost the same.
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Conclusion
Maxamet steel is famous for its edge retention and wears resistance properties. Its edge retention is considered tops in the knife industry. Moreover, it also offers amazing strength, wear resistance, and hardness, which makes it great steel for knives.
Knives with Maxamet steel hold their edge well for a long time; that’s why it is famous amongst knife makers. Maxamet steel knives are good for kitchen cooking, shaping wood, cutting carpet, and many more.
Although there is no doubt Maxamet steel is good for knives, there is no doubt but you have to be careful in using a knife in a humid environment because Maxamet steel has a low percentage of Chromium. Due to low Chromium, it’s not good steel for corrosion resistance. You should take care of your Maxamet knife in such environments.
Except for this, it’s a great steel for knives. If you are an EDC user, I highly recommend Maxamet steel knives to you. But, if you are a hunter, camper, kitchen chef, diver, or you use your knife in humid places, I wouldn’t recommend Maxamet steel knives to you. In such cases, go for any stainless steel.
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FAQ’s
